Eyeshield



July 24, 1956 S. DOR S E Y EYESHIELD Filed Jan. 5, 1955 INVENTOR.

STE LLA DORSEY PARKER & CARTER ATTO R NEYS United States PatentEYESHIELD Stella Dorsey, Janesville, Wis.

Application January 5, 1955, Serial No. 479,981

3 Claims. (Cl. 128-254) My invention relates to eye shields and moreparticularly to a type of eye shield assembly that incorporates anabsorbent pad for the application of heat or cold to the eyes of thepatient.

An object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed that is constructed of Waterproof material and in which theheating pad or cooling pad is totally enclosed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device that is adjustablefor size to fit the wearer.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a device that islight in weight, pliable in structure and in which the pad is readilyaccessible for changing.

It is manifest that in the care of patients in hospitals or homes, it isat times imperative to shield the eyes of the patient from the light,and to apply either hot or cold compresses to the forehead or eyes ofthe patient. The device illustrated, specified and claimed hereinprovides a means for shielding the eyes of the patient and isconstructed in a manner to provide a pocket or enclosure into which aflat absorbent sponge may be inserted, after having been saturated withhot or cold liquid, thus preventing the liquid from direct contact withthe face of the patient or with the bed clothes while the eye shieldsare in use.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent asthe description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled device in which a spongeis enveloped within the enclosure.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1 takenat the line 22 thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the porous sponge, shaped to a contourto fit the enclosure.

Figure 4 is similar to the view shown in Figure 1, with the closure flapat the top in a partly raised position; and

Figure 5 is a cross section of the device taken on line 55 in Figure 4.

Referring now to the details of the embodiment of the invention shown inthe drawings, indicates a main band which is wider at its centralportion and tapers at both ends where it merges into temple pieces 11and 12. The temple pieces 11 and 12 may be separately attached to themain band 10 as shown, or they may be integral therewith. This main band10 may be made of a waterproof flexible material, and its inner face maybe padded with flannel or the like as at 10a if desired, for contactwith the face of the patient. One of the temple pieces 11 is providedwith a band 13 which is adjustable for length by suitable means such asa buckle arrangement 14. An eyelet 15 is on the end of temple piece 11for engagement with a book 16 on the other temple piece 12.

2,755,803 Fatented July 24, 1956 The main band portion 10 is preferablynotched or cut upwardly at the center thereof, as indicated at 17 toaccommodate the nose of the patient. A front portion 18 is also made ofwaterproof flexible material, to form a pocket or enclosure across themain band 10. Said front portion 18 is also cut out in the center toaccommodate the bridge of the nose of the patient, and is secured to themain band along its sides and bottom edges by sewed stitches 19, or byany adherent means so as to form a watertight pocket into which a sponge20, shaped as shown in Figure 3, may be inserted. This sponge 20 ispreferably shaped to fit in the pocket or enclosure and to this end mayalso be cut out at 21 to accommodate the nose of the patient.

An upper flap portion 22 of flexible waterproof material is securedalong the main band portion 19 to provide a closure means for the upperedge of the pocket when the sponge 20 has been inserted therein. Thisflap portion may be provided with upright pleats intermediate its endsas shown at 23 and 23 so that it will follow the facial contour of thepatient when the device is applied by means of the adjustable band 13.

Figures 4 and 5 show how the flap portion 22 may be raised to provideaccess to the sponge 21 so that the sponge may be removed for saturationwith a liquid either hot or cold, and then replaced in the pocket formedby the main band 10 and the front portion 18. The material forming thepocket being of a waterproof nature will enclose the moist sponge 20Without in any way contacting the patient or bed clothes.

The device is very simple in construction and the sponge portion 20 isreadily accessible for changing without removing the device from thepatient, or the device may be easily removed to give access to thesponge portion when the flap 22 is raised.

Although I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention,it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exactconstruction shown and described but that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an eye shield, a flexible contact band having an exteriorwatertight pocket secured therealong and open at its top, a closure flapextending along the open top of said pocket, said pocket and closureflap being made of flexible waterproof sheet material for the receptionof absorbent material and the retention of moisture from the latter,said band having an adjustable strap provided with retaining means forattaching the eye shield assembly in contact with the face of a patient.

2. The eye shield structure of claim 1, wherein both the band andwatertight front pocket portion are recessed along the lower edgesthereof to accommodate the nose bridge of the patient.

3. The eye shield structure of claim 2, wherein a sponge of absorbentmaterial is shaped with a recessed lower edge to fit within the pocketportion.

References Cited in the file of this patent Samuels Wade Nov. 7, 1922Mar. 25, 1952 Mar. 16, 1954

